Project Cure CRC: A patient-powered ecosystem uniting data, discovery and accelerating cures for colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality despite significant advances in molecular and immunologic science. Progress is limited by fragmented research infrastructure, underrepresentation of diverse populations, and a lack of coordinated translation between discovery and clinical care. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance launched Project Cure CRC in 2023 to build a national ecosystem that unites patients, investigators, and partners through research acceleration, data integration, patient empowerment, and collaborative partnerships. Project Cure CRC's goal is to improve overall survival from colorectal cancer and advance new therapies. Methods: Project Cure CRC has several components that have never been combined before for colorectal cancer: 1) K-SPY, an adaptive platform trial evaluating perioperative, neoadjuvant, and minimal residual disease (MRD) interventions in colorectal cancer; 2) BlueLake, a data and real-world evidence platform connecting clinical, genomic, and patient-reported outcomes data to inform research and care delivery; 3) BlueHQ, a digital patient support, navigation, and engagement hub enabling patients to connect with each other and patient navigators, contribute longitudinal data, access tailored educational resources, and participate in research opportunities; and 4) A competitive request for proposals (RFPs) focused on accelerating translational progress towards a cure: Early-Career Investigator Awards, Senior Investigator Awards, Pilot Awards, and Team Science Awards. Each proposal is peer-reviewed and designed to feed forward into ongoing K-SPY and BlueLake efforts, ensuring rapid translation of discovery into clinical utility. Results: Since its launch, Project Cure CRC has received 525+ proposals and has distributed over $15 million in funding across 33 projects, advanced multicenter biomarker and equity studies, and finalized governance frameworks for K-SPY submission to the FDA. More than 150 academic investigators, 20 industry partners, and patient participants are now engaged, forming the largest philanthropic CRC research network in the United States. In 2025, the Alliance launched a patient advisory council consisting of a diverse group of colorectal cancer patients to provide feedback on the ecosystem. Conclusions: Project Cure CRC demonstrates a scalable, patient-powered model that connects discovery research, adaptive clinical trials, and real-world data within a single coordinated ecosystem. By aligning research acceleration, data integration, patient empowerment, and collaborative partnerships, the initiative is transforming colorectal cancer research and accelerating cures.